Major ports disrupted as wharfies walk off the job

Wharfies are walking off the job in five states this morning, with fears of major disruption at Australian ports.

There will be 24 hour strikes at five ports in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.

The industrial action has been sparked by a long-running dispute with towage company Svitzer Australia.

READ MORE: China conducts 'precision missile strikes' in Taiwan visit retaliation

Wharfies claim the company is trying to back out of a 2016 employment agreement with tugboat workers.

They say it would effectively cut pay by 50 per cent.

READ MORE: Major e-bike blitz sees riders fined, tackled by NSW police

The union is asking Svitzer to come to the negotiating table today to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.

The knock-on effects are likely to be felt far beyond the docks, with the entirely supply chain from truck drivers to the general public to be effected as the delays roll down the line.